This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that has inspired me to start writing this blog.

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Saturday, 10 August 2013

Two of the youngest Championship managers go head to head

This Saturday is one I have been looking forward to since the SKYBet Championship fixtures were announced. In the yellow corner we have Gianfranco Zola, Italian footballing genius, Chelsea hero and one of the most dynamic thinking managers currently plying his trade in the Championship. But in the red corner we have the Cherries' king, golden locks and the man who is already a legend at AFCB - yes, Eddie Howe.

Eddie looks on from the touchline at the pre-season Woking game

It is a dream match up of intelligence and beautiful footballing styles that should be gracing the a whole network of TV channels. Watford are becoming a powerhouse by reputation and a side that are renowned for their attractive football. They have already proved that they have what it takes to sweep aside those who have not go a similar goal threat and fast passing game. It will be tough for Eddie Howe to out think Mr Zola, but knowing Eddie he will have a plan to frustrate and thwart the opposition. Moreover, the Cherries will be looking to take a scalp and turn the division upside down, if they can reproduce the away form of last season that saw them topple just about every obstacle that was put in front of them.This is not going to be a contest that ends nil : nil surely. Both sides are bent on attacking and the rewards of a second three point haul and back-to-back wins will give one of these sides a real boost going into their next fixture when they could be sitting top of the league. The Cherries need to find their high scoring game without over stretching at the back. If Zola does not give the Cherries and their manager enough respect he could find that AFCB are quite a handful because AFCB will be organised and will get opportunities.The approach of Eddie Howe will probably be to try and strike first, just as Zola will be attempting to do. Their are sharp shooters on both sides but the defences are also mean. It is a pity perhaps that this game has occurred early in the season but I think that will play into AFCB hands. Not enough clubs know enough about us and yet Watford's style has been well televised. While the Hornets have brought in new players most of them are fro the Udinese school of thought. Can Eddie devise a game plan to shock and terrorise the calm and highly admired Hornet's manager or will the yellow shirts have too much guile for the Cherries? It is going to be a fascinating contest and I think it's very much in the balance. I'm going for a 2:2 scoreline and a very entertaining game. If you haven't got a ticket for this one it may be your first mistake of the season, but at least you will have another chance in a few days time. UTCIAD!

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About Me

I love watching AFCB with my two sons and you'll see me at Dean Court most home games and some away ones as I am an exile, no longer living in Bournemouth. I have supported the Cherries since the late 1970s, but did not go to my first match until 1981. I am a business to business magazine journalist on an international publication. I have been a journalist since 1992 when I completed my post-graduate diploma in journalism studies at Cardiff University.